Neuromuscular fatigue is weakly associated with perception of fatigue and function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To assess electromyographic parameters of neuromuscular fatigue in knee extensors and their association with clinical, functional and emotional features in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty-eight female patients with RA participated. Electromyography parameters (changes in signal amplitude, represented by the root mean square, and frequency content, represented by median frequency-MDF) were assessed during a submaximal (60%) isometric contraction of the knee extensors, sustained for 60 s. Clinical characteristics; the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) in which includes count of swollen joints (out of the 28) and tender joints (out of the 28), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and global disease activity measured on a visual analogue scale; serum C reactive protein (CRP); information on treatment; the Health Assessment Questionnaire; the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy fatigue scale (FACIT-F); the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), were also assessed. The mean patient age was 51.0 ± 8.2 years, mean disease activity score was 11.5 ± 7.1, and mean CRP level was 8.0 ± 7.8 mg/dL. There was a moderate correlation between MDF and age (r = 0.5), as well as weak correlations of MDF with FACIT-F (r = 0.3), physical functioning (r = - 0.3) and vitality domains (r = - 0.3) of the SF-36, and IPAQ (r = - 0.3) (p ≤ 0.05 for all). No association was observed between electromyography measurements and clinical or treatment features. The electromyographic parameter MDF was correlated with perception of fatigue, age, physical functioning and vitality domains of SF-36, and physical activity level in this sample. These results indicate that primary muscle factors should also be considered when managing perceived fatigue in patients with RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis seems to have DMARD treatment decision influenced by fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare DMARD use in patients with and without FM over time, including overtreatment and undertreatment rates in both groups. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with patients attending an RA outpatient clinic was conducted. Participants were consecutively recruited between March 2006 and June 2007 and were followed through December 2013. Data on DMARD use (prevalences, doses and escalation rates), DAS28, HAQ and radiographic progression were compared among RA patients with FM and without FM. Mistreatment clinical scenarios were allegedly identified and compared between groups. RESULTS: 256 RA patients (32 with FM) were followed for 6.2±2.0 (mean±SD) years comprising 2986 visits. At baseline, RA duration was 11.1±7.4 years. DAS28 and HAQ were greater in RA with FM group, and were closer to RA without FM group towards the end. RA patients with FM used higher doses of tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide and prednisone, and lower doses of methotrexate. When compared to RA patients without FM, participants with RA and FM used more often tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide, prednisone, continuous analgesics and less often methotrexate. Groups presented similar 7-year biologic-free survival, and radiographic progression-free survival in Cox regression. RA patients with FM had greater proportions of visits in mistreatment scenarios when compared to RA patients without FM (28.4 vs. 19.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RA patients with FM used more leflunomide and prednisone, and RA mistreatment was more frequent in FM patients. Certainly, RA patients with FM will benefit from a personalized T2T strategy, including ultrasound (when suitable) and proper FM treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis seems to have DMARD treatment decision influenced by fibromyalgia / As decisões de tratamento com DMARD na artrite reumatoide parecem ser influenciadas pela fibromialgia

Abstract Objective: To compare DMARD use in patients with and without FM over time, including overtreatment and undertreatment rates in both groups. Methods: A prospective cohort study with patients attending an RA outpatient clinic was conducted. Participants were consecutively recruited between March 2006 and June 2007 and were followed through December 2013. Data on DMARD use (prevalences, doses and escalation rates), DAS28, HAQ and radiographic progression were compared among RA patients with FM and without FM. Mistreatment clinical scenarios were allegedly identified and compared between groups. Results: 256 RA patients (32 with FM) were followed for 6.2 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD) years comprising 2986 visits. At baseline, RA duration was 11.1 ± 7.4 years. DAS28 and HAQ were greater in RA with FM group, and were closer to RA without FM group towards the end. RA patients with FM used higher doses of tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide and prednisone, and lower doses of methotrexate. When compared to RA patients without FM, participants with RA and FM used more often tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide, prednisone, continuous analgesics and less often methotrexate. Groups presented similar 7-year biologic-free survival, and radiographic progression-free survival in Cox regression. RA patients with FM had greater proportions of visits in mistreatment scenarios when compared to RA patients without FM (28.4 vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: RA patients with FM used more leflunomide and prednisone, and RA mistreatment was more frequent in FM patients. Certainly, RA patients with FM will benefit from a personalized T2T strategy, including ultrasound (when suitable) and proper FM treatment.

Resumo Objetivo: Comparar o uso de fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores da doença (DMARD) em pacientes com e sem fibromialgia (FM) ao longo do tempo, incluindo as taxas de tratamento excessivo e subtratamento em ambos os grupos. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectiva com pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de artrite reumatoide (AR). Os participantes foram recrutados consecutivamente entre março de 2006 e junho de 2007 e foram seguidos até dezembro de 2013. Compararam-se os dados de uso de DMARD (prevalências, doses e taxas de escalonamento), 28-Joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) e progressão radiográfica entre pacientes com e sem FM. Os cenários clínicos de tratamento supostamente incorreto foram identificados e comparados entre os grupos. Resultados: Seguiram-se 256 pacientes com AR (32 com FM) por 6,2 ± 2,0 (média ± DP) anos, período que abrangeu 2.986 consultas. No início do estudo, a duração da AR era de 11,1 ± 7,4 anos. O DAS28 e o HAQ foram maiores no grupo AR com FM e estavam mais próximos do grupo AR sem FM no fim do estudo. Os pacientes com AR com FM usaram doses mais altas de antidepressivos tricíclicos, leflunomida e prednisona e doses mais baixas de metotrexato. Quando comparados com os pacientes com AR sem FM, os participantes com AR e FM usaram mais frequentemente antidepressivos tricíclicos, leflunomida, prednisona e analgésicos contínuos e menos frequentemente metotrexato. Os grupos apresentaram sobrevida em sete anos sem agentes biológicos e livres de progressão radiográfica semelhantes na regressão Cox. Os pacientes com AR com FM apresentaram uma maior proporção de consultas em cenários de tratamento supostamente incorreto quando comparados com os pacientes com AR sem FM (28,4 vs. 19,8%, p < 0,001). Conclusões: Os pacientes com AR e FM usaram mais leflunomida e prednisona e o tratamento supostamente incorreto na AR foi mais frequente em pacientes com FM. Os pacientes com AR com FM certamente se beneficiarão de uma estratégia personalizada de tratamento por metas (T2 T), incluindo ultrassonografia (quando apropriado) e controle da FM.

Rheumatoid arthritis seems to have DMARD treatment decision influenced by fibromyalgia. / As decisões de tratamento com DMARD na artrite reumatoide parecem ser influenciadas pela fibromialgia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare DMARD use in patients with and without FM over time, including overtreatment and undertreatment rates in both groups. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with patients attending an RA outpatient clinic was conducted. Participants were consecutively recruited between March 2006 and June 2007 and were followed through December 2013. Data on DMARD use (prevalences, doses and escalation rates), DAS28, HAQ and radiographic progression were compared among RA patients with FM and without FM. Mistreatment clinical scenarios were allegedly identified and compared between groups. RESULTS: 256 RA patients (32 with FM) were followed for 6.2±2.0 (mean±SD) years comprising 2,986 visits. At baseline, RA duration was 11.1±7.4 years. DAS28 and HAQ were greater in RA with FM group, and were closer to RA without FM group towards the end. RA patients with FM used higher doses of tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide and prednisone, and lower doses of methotrexate. When compared to RA patients without FM, participants with RA and FM used more often tricyclic antidepressants, leflunomide, prednisone, continuous analgesics and less often methotrexate. Groups presented similar 7-year biologic-free survival, and radiographic progression-free survival in Cox regression. RA patients with FM had greater proportions of visits in mistreatment scenarios when compared to RA patients without FM (28.4 vs. 19.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RA patients with FM used more leflunomide and prednisone, and RA mistreatment was more frequent in FM patients. Certainly, RA patients with FM will benefit from a personalized T2T strategy, including ultrasound (when suitable) and proper FM treatment.